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Vaccination hesitation leads to measles case in Miami-Dade

With the confirmation of a measles case in an unvaccinated child in Miami-Dade, officials are in a wait-and-see mode to see if it is an isolated incident or if there is a pocket of people not vaccinated in South Florida.

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Is South Florida in line for a measles outbreak? The first case in an unvaccinated child confirmed in Miami-Dade.

“Measles is a very serious disease,” Florida Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip said as reported by WPLG-TV in Miami. “The best way to protect yourself and others against measles is to get vaccinated.”

Philip said the Miami-Dade case serves as a reminder for all residents to check their immunization records or contact their primary care provider’s office to make sure they are up to date on the measles vaccine, as well as all recommended vaccines.

The airborne disease is spread by breathing, coughing or sneezing. Health officials said a typical case of measles begins with a mild fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and sore throat.